The Divine-Given Scarletlight Seed bloomed, and its rate of absorbing Origin Force clearly increased.
Under the tree, Sang and Ink Orchid used stones to smash Source Stones, replenishing its Origin Force.
In the tree, Dragon Cypress operated the Dominating Throne, directing seven Miniaturization Blue Ants to gather pollen and nectar.
Black Cory could help too. This was delicate work; at most, it could command three Miniaturization Blue Ants at the same time—any more and precise command would be impossible.
In two days, they used up 1,000 Source Stones.
After two days, Dragon Cypress and Black Cory also completed the honey collection, producing a large half-bottle of "Ant King Jelly."
This year required a huge harvest of Golden Light Fruit, to be used in making "Scarletlight Ant King Honey."
They split up to act.
Black Cory led Worker Ants, with the help of Sang, Blue Catalpa, and Snakebark Maple, to pick within Scarletlight Mountain territory.
Dragon Cypress rode the Dominating Throne, carrying Ink Orchid to forage in the nearby forests.
Busy, busy—half a month passed just . Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs NoveI★Fire.net
They returned to Scarletlight Mountain,
Snakebark Maple was first to complete its Molting Evolution.
Blue Catalpa followed closely, falling into slumber.
Outside the cave, Ink Orchid, Sang, and Snakebark Maple fiddled with the Rose Halo and Metal Case, two Outworld Civilization Artifacts. They never seemed to get bored of them.
Dragon Cypress, unlike them, wasn't so idle—he cradled a piece of cypress wood, practicing carving with full concentration.
Tasked to weed the Golden Light Tree nursery up the mountain, Black Cory returned with an escort of five Large Soldier Ants.
"Great King, I'm about to evolve."
Dragon Cypress stopped what he was doing, looked up, then glanced at the cave, and ordered, "Go rest in the Ant Nest first. Once Blue Catalpa finishes evolving, you go in."
"Understood, Great King!"
Black Cory trotted off, and not long after brought all the working ants back, resting contentedly under the Great Locust Tree.
Dragon Cypress looked at Black Cory, falling into thought.
After a long period of observation, it seemed Black Cory truly was an "all-purpose Command Ant"—it could direct all types of ants without any hindrance.
But this fellow wasn't that proactive with work.
Yet, at Black Lotus Lake, when working for White Willow, it was super enthusiastic.
What was up with that?
Should I really send it to Black Lotus Lake to keep White Willow company?
Then whose resources would Black Cory use for its future growth?
Should I be the one to provide? I could, but I can't just provide for free, right?
Need to think up a win-win solution.
Dragon Cypress wracked his brains thinking.
Two days and two nights.
Blue Catalpa smoothly completed Molting Evolution.
Black Cory was up next.
Downed three Black Lotus Seeds in a row, stewed for the better part of a day, then fell asleep.
The Dominating Throne sensed something, Origin Force gathered onto Black Cory, gradually forming a Light Cocoon to wrap it.
After just half a day and half a night, an Origin Force Fluctuation came from inside the cave.
Ink Orchid was startled awake, spread its wings and patted Dragon Cypress beside it.
"Looks like Black Cory finished evolving."
Dragon Cypress was startled awake too, rose and walked to the cave entrance, pushed aside the blocking dead branches, and peered in.
The Primordial Energy white light cocooning Black Cory had dispersed.
Its carapace was dull in color, lying on the Throne, trembling slightly, a crack on its forehead quickly spreading toward its back.
After shuddering for a bit, it suddenly became still.
Dragon Cypress hesitated briefly, then extended his spiritual power to scan the area.
Inside the old shell, Black Cory had shrunk another circle smaller, and its new carapace's base color was quickly changing from pure white to a murky pale yellow.
"How's it look?" Ink Orchid sidled over.
"Dragon Cypress Ant King, Ink Orchid, what happened to Black Cory?" Sang awoke in alarm.
Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple, who'd been napping on Sang's carapace, were startled awake too, exchanged glances, hurried over, and squeezed themselves between Dragon Cypress and Ink Orchid to watch.
Worker Ants evolving toward Assistant King against Natural Law—this was such a rare event that a bunch of insects crowded at the cave entrance to spectate.
Black Cory's carapace began turning a light blackish-yellow, and its hardening process was basically complete.
Black Cory slipped right out from the crack in the old carapace's back.
Molt Evolution completed easily and effortlessly.
Its body length reduced from 80 centimeters to just over 70 centimeters.
Its aura also plummeted, dropping below the High-Level Specialized Worker Ant tier, all the way to Mid-Level Specialized Worker Ant. At the same time, the Command Ant's Origin Force aura became much stronger.
A Molting Evolution entirely opposite to what's considered normal.
Dragon Cypress: "Recover first."
"Got it—" Black Cory picked up the gourd container left ready atop the Throne, pulled out a wooden dish, poured in some ant honey, and licked it.
The sleep period was short; after two dishes, it was fully recovered.
Feeling a bit awkward under the five pairs of black, beady eyes at the cave entrance, it leapt down from the Throne and strolled outside the cave.
"Great King, I've finished evolving."
Dragon Cypress waved his tentacle and gently patted Blue Catalpa.
Blue Catalpa understood, darted into the cave, and carried out a jar of leftover Origin Force Ant Honey from its and Snakebark Maple's evolution, setting it before Black Cory.
Dragon Cypress helped unscrew the lid, said, "Black Cory, try how much Origin Force you can absorb now."
Black Cory rummaged at the metal can, dipped in a bit with its tentacle, cradled it with its forelegs and licked it.
Five streams of spiritual power instantly locked onto Black Cory, observing the changes.
Soon, they spotted wisps of Origin Force leaking from the gaps in Black Cory's carapace and joints.
Black Cory reported, "Great King, I can absorb about a quarter."
That's an improvement, but not much.
Black Cory might need six to nine such Molting Evolutions to achieve a full class leap and become a complete "Command Ant."
During this period, it would probably only be able to use Black Lotus Seeds for further strengthening and growth.
"We're out of Black Lotus Seeds for the year."
Dragon Cypress mused, "White Willow has three Black Lotus Life Seeds… Black Cory, I'll assemble a team of Worker Ants, Soldier Ants, Blue Soldiers, and Blue Ants for you. You'll head to Black Lotus Lake and keep White Willow company."
Black Cory's tentacles twitched, barely hiding the glee in its heart, but answered honestly, "At your command, Great King!"
Dragon Cypress called out: "Sang, Ink Orchid, Blue Catalpa, Snakebark Maple, that's all. Everyone rest, we leave at dawn."
Just like that, another spring was upon them.
At first light, Dragon Cypress's group bid Sang farewell and headed directly north toward Kiwifruit Mountain.
Dropped off Blue Catalpa and Snakebark Maple.
Picked up Round Cypress and the stationed ant squad, and returned to Xianglan Mountain.
Black Cory wasn't very popular on Xianglan Mountain.
It was already registered with Round Cypress, Fragrant Cypress, and Cypress—everyone knew it: smaller in size, yet able to lead a crowd of Worker Ants to slack off.
Dragon Cypress, as an Ant King who believed in diligent work for prosperity, deep down didn't much like Black Cory either.
After mulling it over for a few days, Dragon Cypress called Black Cory alone to the dining room.
"Black Cory, I'll help you complete your evolution into a Command Ant."
"Thank you, Great King."
"Once you transform into a Command Ant, you'll need to earn the resources required for further evolution through labor. My plan is for you to lead a team of ants to Black Lotus Lake, work together with White Willow, open up orchards and plant fruit trees."
"Understood, Great King!"
Upon hearing this, Black Cory's tentacles shot up in excitement.
"Don't get happy too soon; let me finish."
Dragon Cypress used his toes to trace lightly on the ground, drawing two circles, saying, "White Willow can't even feed itself, let alone provide for you. So don't expect to freeload off White Willow."
"I can provide resources to help you reach the High-Level Stage. After that, you'll have to fend for yourself."
"I can give you two jobs: First, run a nursery to cultivate the saplings I specify. I'll calculate your rewards based on the number handed in; second, open up new land and plant fruit trees like Purple Kiwifruit, Black Emperor Peach, Blood Oranges, Southern Sour Jujube, Dominant Chestnut, Silver Cypress, Coarse Torreya, Green Torreya, and so on. You'll plan yourself, organize Worker Ants to plant, manage and harvest, command Blue Ants for refinement. In the end, I'll buy the Ant Honey from you."
Dragon Cypress said with heartfelt seriousness, "Black Cory, from today on, you're an independent ant. Work harder, earn more through labor, and support yourself. If you're hardworking and clever, plus a bit lucky, you can live a prosperous life. But if you keep being lazy, I won't help you again—you'll just have to starve at Black Lotus Lake."
Black Cory, always lethargic and listless, was suddenly electrified by these words and responded with vigor:
"Rest assured, Great King! I'll work hard!"